Bell Atlantic, Strikers Reach Tentative Accord

Bell Atlantic Corp. and the Communication Workers of America reached tentative agreement Thursday on the framework of a new contract, but unresolved local issues prevented an end to the 13-day strike.

"We will still be on the picket line tomorrow, but we've crossed a big hurdle," said Tommy Johnson, executive vice president of the CWA Local 2205 for the Peninsula area.

The agreement between Bell Atlantic, parent company of Richmond-based Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co., and the CWA signals that the strike could be over in a matter of days.

"I'm optimistic. Hopefully we will return to work within the next four or five days," Johnson said.

Agreement on wages and a health plan, the two biggest stumbling blocks, paved the way for the tentative contract settlement. In six states and the District of Columbia, about 41,000 workers are on strike against Bell Atlantic.

C&P and the union were expected to return to the bargaining table today and negotiate local issues around the clock in an attempt to end the strike that idled about 500 workers on the Peninsula.

"Our company wants people back to work as soon as possible. We will be working diligently through the weekend," said C&P spokesman Brian Regrut.

Few local issues remain unresolved and may include a minor change in the tentative wage agreement, Johnson said. Each local must also ratify the regional contract.

The tentative agreement calls for an immediate 3 percent wage increase for the 41,000 CWA workers. They would receive raises of 2.25 percent in both the second and third years of the contract. That total three-year wage increase is estimated to be 10.26 percent.

The workers would also receive a cost-of-living adjustment in the latter two years of the contract and a profit-sharing payment in all three years.

The company also will provide a child care and elder care plan.

Union members also received a 13 percent increase in pensions for future retirees and a 6 percent increase for those already retired.

The striking workers include operators, telephone installers and repairmen, factory workers and some sales and clerical personnel.

C&P has continued service using management personnel, and there have been delays for customers seeking some services. Most people making direct-dial calls noticed no delays.

Three other regional Baby Bell companies also are being struck. They are: NYNEX, which serves the Northeast; Ameritech, which serves five Midwestern states; and Pacific Telesis, which serves California and Nevada.

Talks between CWA and Pacific Telesis were held Wednesday and Thursday, but there were no reports of progress. No contract talks were scheduled at NYNEX or Ameritech.

CWA spokesman Bill Bickers told a news conference the Bell Atlantic agreement would have no direct effect on the other strikes, but, "Hopefully this will give some impetus to those units to reach an agreement."